Prior to beginning the trail for Oneonta Falls I had read some info that suggested it may be a little challenging. However, I was all like, "Pfft, one mile? Fallen trees...no big deal." What I failed to realize was that the entire mile is over boulders and that the trees create a maze/puzzle through the narrow canyon with periods of time when you are up to your waist and chest with freezing cold water...and I brought my broken beagle. So, I carried Tupes the ENTIRE way. Did I mention that she has an aversion to water? Also, my vet told me that super cold water can cause extreme pain in dogs...so no wading in rivers and lakes for Bugs. Oh, and of course I didn't bother to bring a dry bag, because I assumed that the warning "prepare to get wet" just meant up to the knee or something. Picture this...me, carrying a wiggly and whiney dog strapped to my side with one arm as she kicks and scratches while balancing my bag on top of my head because it has my cell phone and my dead grandfather's Canon in it, for one mile. And I'm soaking wet. There was a large family with 3 generations completing the hike together, and it was amazing to see the little kiddos helping their grandma wade through the water. There was also a really nice and thoughtful gentleman that kept asking if I needed help with Tupes. I wanted to tell him, "No thanks. I don't need help with my dog, but could you please get your girlfriend and her screaming friend out of my way as I have been holding a slippery and agitated extra 25 lbs for a half hour, and they won't move their asses over this log which is the ONLY way to get back to the trail head. Thanks?" What I'm saying is, don't bring your water hating dog with you, and prepare to be patient with people that are scared of water and nature and stuff because if you go on a weekend day, you will have to deal with it. And don't let the ego-centric fools prevent you from enjoying the view and playful people and families spending quality time together, because almost no one does that shit anymore. And towels. Bring towels.
Just a short skip from PDX is the Columbia River Gorge. Do yourself a favor and bypass Multnomah Falls unless you want to elbow tourists out of your way and bore holes into the backs of their heads as they stop every 5 feet for another pic with their selfie-stick. Side note, Go Pros make me want to beat people.
Just around the corner from MF, literally, is Angel's Rest, a moderate hiking experience worth every ounce of effort for the view at the top. While you're in the area, make sure you stumble upon Oneonta Falls, a short mile-long adventure over fallen logs and through glacial river water...literally right through, the trail is the river.
Just around the corner from MF, literally, is Angel's Rest, a moderate hiking experience worth every ounce of effort for the view at the top. While you're in the area, make sure you stumble upon Oneonta Falls, a short mile-long adventure over fallen logs and through glacial river water...literally right through, the trail is the river.
After our unforgettable experience hiking through Oneonta Gorge, Tupelo Honey made it clear to me that she wanted to go back to the car and get dry right away, so we left our Angel's Rest hike for the next day. My arms were numb anyways.
The only advice I have on this one is not to be fooled by the false look out. It seems really amazing and there will be a ton of people sitting around in a giant bed of rocks, but push on...even if your dog is giving you the stink eye and you feel like you just really don't want to do one more switch back. The true top is super close to the rocky area and the views are gorge-ous. See what I did there? And yes, Tupes had to be carried the 3 miles down hill and back to the car...the bonus is that I'm starting to get some nice definition in my arms.
Now, this hike was no joke. My legs got a little wobbly at the top...you know, you start tripping over every little thing all of a sudden. Leg fatigue big time. But you get amazing views of the river gorge, and the bluff at the tippy top is a spectacular spot to take a break and just be.